Packers vs. Giants: Five key matchups

1. Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul vs. Chad Clifton—With just a quarter of football under his belt since being injured in Week 5 of the season, Clifton is facing the most daunting challenge any left tackle in the league might encounter. He’ll be up against the pass-rush star of Super Bowl XLII and the best young pass-rusher in the game today, a Giants pass-rush tag team extraordinaire. Is Clifton all the way back from his hamstring and back injuries? Is he ready to go four quarters against Umenyiora and Pierre-Paul? The answer to those questions might decide the outcome of this game.

2. Aaron Rodgers vs. Eli Manning—Applying the theory of passer rating differential, Rodgers needs to defeat Manning for the Packers to win this game. In the Packers’ 38-35 win in the first meeting between the two teams, Rodgers eked out a 106.2-100.7 victory over Manning.

3. Greg Jennings vs. Aaron Ross—Jennings is making his return from a Week 14 knee injury. Ross is recovering from the effects of a concussion. Both players are key to their team’s potential for success on Sunday.

4. B.J. Raji vs. David Baas—Forget about the Giants’ No. 32 rush ranking. The Giants are running the ball and dominating time of possession these days, and that is something the Packers must not allow on Sunday. A 3-4 defense’s nose tackle is the key player in stopping the run; Raji has to win against Baas, the Giants’ center.

5. Victor Cruz vs. Tramon Williams—Cruz led the Giants with seven catches for 119 yards in the Week 13 game. He’s the spark that starts the Giants’ engine. Williams was the star of the Packers’ postseason run last year and his play late in this season has been on the rise.